JB Off-Screen | 2004 | East To 'West Wing' And Back (18/05/04)

With an old report card in his hand, actor Bradley Whitford recalled how he earned an "A" in co-ed social dance at Madison East High School but a "D" in weight lifting.

"I want all those goofy, outcast theater kids to take solace in that," the Madison native and Emmy winner told about 300 people Monday at a fund-raiser for the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools.

He later announced that he is donating $5,000 to start a scholarship for East High theater students.

Six members of East's theater club posed for pictures with Whitford afterward.

"It's just so cool to think that someone like us who went to our school went on to become so successful," said junior Caitlyn O'Mara,16.

Whitford, 44, said he fell in love with acting while at East High, where he played a lead role in "Annie Get Your Gun." He currently portrays White House deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman on NBC's hit "West Wing," a show that suggests the country would be better off run by liberals.

"Or, as we like to call it here in Madison -- reality TV," joked Steve Goldberg, executive director of the CUNA Mutual Group Foundation, who introduced Whitford.

Goldberg, a family friend, had fun with Whitford's high school transcripts, noting that while Whitford was prom king and a member of the National Honor Society, he also was cited his senior year for excessive use of hall passes.

Whitford spoke at UW-Madison commencement ceremonies over the weekend and agreed to stay an extra day and speak for free at Monday's luncheon.

He called his years at East High wonderful and nourishing. He spotted former debate coach Doug Buehl in the crowd, as well as former tennis coach George Kelly, whom he credited with a great tip, "which was that it wasn't a really good idea to smoke a cigarette between the singles and doubles matches."

During a serious portion, Whitford said democracy will not survive unless every child has access to a quality public education.

"I hope we can keep fighting for a future where our schools are as shiny as our missiles and where we are as excited by an open mind as we are by a shattered target," he said. "And no matter what security threats we face, may we never forget that our ultimate legacy is not going to be the ferocity with which we wage war but the compassion with which we wage peace."

The Foundation for Madison's Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $2 million in four years to fund projects that fall outside the district's regular operating budget.

Foundation President Jodi Bender Sweeney announced that a donation from Madison entrepreneur John Taylor and Dr. Leslie Taylor could help create endowments at each of the district's 46 schools.

Any school that raises $5,000 on its own will get a $5,000 matching donation from the Taylors' Clay-Price Fund. Schools need $10,000 to start endowments. The couple also are giving each school $500 to help with fund-raising costs.

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[ FMPS Luncheon ]